Variety of Geranium plant named `Maiden Rose Pink`

ABSTRACT

The cultivar is characterized by its compact medium green foliage and multicolored pink bloom. Its unique bloom size, color and continuous flowering provide for superb cuttings. Quick rooting times provide for quick recovery following wet weather conditions. The blooms exhibit good post-harvest quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name Maiden Rose Pink (Oglevee No. 732, Bodger No. 2 PD 23-10). The new variety was discovered in a selective breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd., Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of Prince (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,090) which has a light purple flower with dark green foliage, with Mutter Tag (Bodger No. 6 PD 59) which is characterized by its coral red flower which further has a white throat, these parents are distinguished from the claimed cultivar which has a rose pink flower with red blotches and a medium green foliage.

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd., Connellsville, Pa., and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., using full light, 60° Fahrenheit night temperature, 68° Fahrenheit day temperature, and grown in a soilless media of constant fertilizer 150-200 parts per million of nitrogen and potassium has a response time of fourteen weeks from the rooted cutting to a flowering plant in a 6 inch pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines each characteristic was collected from asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have been potted on approximately Feb. 1, 1996 and flowering on approximately Apr. 25, 1996 under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were taken indoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light using The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×Domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal Geranium Maiden Rose Pink.

Form: Compact mound.

Height.--16.0-18.0 cm above media.

Growth.--Controlled.

Strength.--Fast rooting, compact sturdy growth -- no support needed.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.0-7.5 cm.

Shape.--Depressed ovate, cordate base.

Margin.--Serrate margin.

Texture.--Leathery, slightly pubescent.

Color.--Top: Yellow-green group 146 B. Bottom: Yellow-green group 148 B. Zone: None.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow/green group 147C.

Petioles:

Length.--5.0-6.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow/green group 146C.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/green group 146D.

Internodes.--1.5-2.0 cm.

The Bud (Umbell)

Shape: Elliptical cluster.

Size: 2.0-2.5 cm.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Borne: Umbel; florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Closed florets:

Bud size.--1.0-1.5 cm length, 0.5cm width.

Size.--Fully open bloom 7.5-8.5 cm across.

Open florets:

Form.--Cupped.

Color.--Top: Red-purple group 58 B. Bottom: Red-purple group 65 C. Eye: On upper two petals only: Red-purple group 59 A; lower three petals have Red-purple group 65 D along edge of petals creating a light pink "throat". Under warm growing conditions most plants in this Regal series may exhibit some petal fade.

Petals.--Five.

Size.--4.0-5.0 cm across.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth satiny; appearance from a distance is a clear rose pink bloom above compact medium green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--None.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.2-1.7 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Peduncle:

Length.--3.5-4.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146B.

Persistence:

Disease resistance.--Not known.

Lasting quality.--Unknown.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--2 mm.

Filaments.--Length: 6-9 mm. Color: White.

Pollen.--Golden brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--1.2-1.5 cm.

Stigma.--Color: Red-purple group 60C; 5-7 parted.

Style.--Length: 0.8-1.0 cm.

Ovaries:

Color.--Pale green, pubescent; superior.

Length.--5 mm.

Fruit: None.

General Characteristics

Maiden rose pink is one of three colors in the new Maiden Regal Geranium series. This series exhibits unique plant size, bloom size, and bloom color. The Regal "Maiden" series is a group of Pelargonium×domesticum varieties having large blooms with a compact medium plant size making them suitable for growing in a 5" pot. Stock production is improved with many cuttings and quick rooting times. These varieties are very suitable for finishing in a 13 cm pot. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantially as shown and described. 